Organic EL panel and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

It is an object of the invention to avoid a contact between desiccating member(s) provided within a cover and an organic EL laminated body. An organic EL panel includes a substrate and an organic EL laminated body formed on the substrate. The organic EL laminated body includes a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode, laminated one above another, with the organic layer interposed between the pair of electrodes, thereby forming an organic EL device. Further, a cover is bonded to the substrate by virtue of an adhesive agent, thereby covering the organic EL laminated body with the cover so as to protect the same from the outside air. Moreover, a desiccating member is provided within the cover 16 and separated from the organic EL laminated body. A concave portion U is formed on the exposed side (facing the organic EL laminated body) of the desiccating member.

1 . An organic EL panel having a substrate and an organic EL laminated body formed on the substrate, said organic EL laminated body being formed by interposing at least one organic layer between a pair of electrodes, said organic EL panel further including a cover for protecting the organic EL laminated body from the outside air, characterized in that: 
 at least one desiccating member is provided within the cover and separated from the organic EL laminated body; and    a concave portion is formed on one surface of the desiccating member, said one surface being orientated to face the organic EL laminated body.    
     
     
         2 . The organic EL panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the desiccating member is a hygroscopic molded body attached to the inner surface of the cover, the hygroscopic molded body has a concave surface facing the organic EL laminated body.  
     
     
         3 . The organic EL panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the desiccating member is a hygroscopic molded body attached to the inner surface of the cover, the hygroscopic molded body has a plurality of concave portions formed on its one surface facing the organic EL laminated body.  
     
     
         4 . The organic EL panel according to  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the inner surface of the cover is formed with at least one attachment section adapted to receive the hygroscopic molded body.  
     
     
         5 . The organic EL panel according to any one of claims  1 ,  2  or  3 , wherein a drop prevention sheet for preventing the drop of desiccating member is provided between the desiccating member and the organic EL laminated body.  
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing an organic EL panel, including device formation step of forming, on a substrate, an organic EL laminated body including a pair of electrodes and at least one organic layer interposed between the pair of electrodes; and encapsulation step of bonding a cover to the substrate for protecting the organic EL laminated body from the outside air, characterized in that: 
 at least one desiccating member is introduced into the cover prior to the encapsulation step; and    a concave portion is formed on one surface of the desiccating member, said one surface being orientated to face the organic EL laminated body.    
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the desiccating member is a hygroscopic molded body attached to the inner surface of the cover, one surface of the desiccating member facing the organic EL laminated body is formed by forming the surface into concave shape.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein the desiccating member is a hygroscopic molded body attached to the inner surface of the cover, one surface of the hygroscopic molded body facing the organic EL laminated body is formed by forming a plurality of concave portions thereon.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 7  or  8 , wherein the inner surface of the cover is provided with at least one attachment section, the hygroscopic molded body is attached to the at least one attachment section.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to any one of claims  6 ,  7  or  8 , wherein a drop prevention sheet for preventing the drop of desiccating member is provided between the desiccating member and the organic EL laminated body.  
     
     
         11 . The organic EL panel according to  claim 4 , wherein a drop prevention sheet for preventing the drop of desiccating member is provided between the desiccating member and the organic EL laminated body.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein a drop prevention sheet for preventing the drop of desiccating member is provided between the desiccating member and the organic EL laminated body.